Introduction: When most of us started fishing we utilized nail
clippers for cutting lines or trimming leaders, and while this basic “tool” got
the job done for slicing through monofilament the age of superlines quickly proved too much for
basic clippers. It was hard to get a clean cut through braided lines with basic
nail clippers and anglers often ended up pinching down hard just trying to saw
through these lines, resulting in frayed hard to tie line-ends.

Boomerang
Tool
Snip
(Basic)

Material

Plastic
Housing, 420
Stainless
steel
cutting jaws

Length

3.25"
x 1.25"

Weight

12 - 25lb

MSRP

$11.99
($14.99 for
LED Snip)

Meet the uniquely styles Boomerang
Snip...

Impressions:The need for a
better cutting tool resulted in a surge of scissors introduced specifically for
the purpose of cutting braid. These scissors while very good for slicing through
braid were not as convenient as standard nail clippers and because they are
typically quite sharp they also needed to be handled with care. A number of
companies went back to the original clipper design and found ways to sharpen and
harden the cutting surfaces to address superlines, others developed new
multi-tools or introduced premium pliers that incorporated replaceable cutting
blades. Like so many other “tackle” categories the tool segment has become
crowded and today there are many choices for anglers.

...and the more cost effective
Snip Basic version

Boomerang Tool Company
entered this segment a few seasons ago and kicked things off with their uniquely
styled pliers. Besides being a very functional pair of pliers one of the main
selling features was the integration of a built in retractor that keeps the
pliers secure and available whenever they are needed. Since that original
introduction the company has advanced their flagship pliers and introduced a
range of new offerings including knives, golf tools and the new line “Snip.”

The Original Snip has a built in
LED light to help cut lines dusk till dawn

Impressions:
The Snip doesn’t look anything nail clipper and instead of jaws that come down
this tool features a small scissor style blades that protrude out of the plastic
housing. The tool features an ergonomic design with levers that manage the
blades on either side of the tool. This is one of the larger cutters on the
market, mainly because the housing also includes the built in retractor which
comes with a ring which makes it easy to secure the Snip to a bag or garment.

A look inside the Snip shows the
uncoiled spring that provides the pressure for the retractor

There are
two versions of the Snip, a standard version which includes the basic cutter and
retractor and a lighted version which incorporates a built in LED light
positioned directly behind the cutters which help anglers cut line in low light
conditions. The Snip’s dimensions are 3.25 x
1.25 x 0.75" (8 x 3 x 1.5cm) and though not the smallest in form factor it feels
lightweight in hand weighing only 1.25oz.

A simple switch forms the circuit
for the LED

Real World Tests:
We purchased the Snip directly from Coyote Bait & Tackle, a Northern California
Retailer and E-Tailers, who had the tools in stock prior to ICAST 2011. At the
show the tool was officially launched and the only differences between the
version we purchased and the newly launched version was a logo change and the
introduction of a new color. At the show we were given another Snip for
comparison and have been using the tools as our primary cutting tool since. We
have used the tool to cut everything from monofilament line to braided
superlines in both fresh and saltwater applications and our tests have taken us
from local reservoirs in the Bay Area to the Amazon.

The red switch activates the LED
light

Operation:
Let’s start with the obvious, the Snip does one thing better than most cutting
tools right out of the package… it is not as easy to lose or misplace. With the
ability to attach the Snip directly to a garment this lightweight tool is there
when you need it. By pulling on the Snip the retriever will extend up to three
feet, which is plenty for most applications.

The LED can even be seen in the
sunlight

But in order to be
considered a truly good cutting tool the Snip must do an excellent job cutting
through all the main line types including mono, fluorocarbon and braid. The
first two are no brainers and the 420 stainless steel cutters cut through these
cleanly and easily. When it comes to braid the Snip does surprisingly well and
was able to slice cleanly through various brands of 65lb line with ease. While
the cutters are sharp the reason that they are so effective is due to the actual
design of the tool itself. The cutting jaws of the Snip are serrated and held
closely together, like a pair of high-end scissors, isolating the line in
between the cutting edges. Anglers are then able to put a lot of pressure on the
blades with a simple squeeze of the handles on both sides.